The New England Patriots are likely to be active in the trade market this month. They always seem to be.
And while a few big names — most notably cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Jalen Ramsey — have already moved, those transactions may be just the beginning of an eventful 2019 trade deadline. There are a handful of players who could get traded, particularly at the Patriots’ perceived positions of need: tight end and wide receiver. Rob Gronkowski doesn’t seem to be walking in that door. (Though, N’Keal Harry might be.)
So the Patriots could look to the trade market to bring in a talented pass-catcher for quarterback Tom Brady. Here are a few options.
1. O.J. Howard, TE, Buccaneers
Howard finished 2018 with 34 catches for 565 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games, but the third-year tight end has mostly been a nonfactor in new coach Bruce Arians’ offense. He would appeal to the Patriots because he’s 1) a buy-low candidate, 2) he’s on his rookie contract and 3) he fills a position of need. Howard would immediately become the top pass-catching tight end in the Patriots offense, which is devoid of a clear option.
2. Stefon Diggs, WR, Vikings
The Vikings would have to restructure deals of veterans on the team just to trade Diggs. That’s right, Minnesota would have to clear cap space to get rid of one of their best players. That alone makes a trade feel unlikely. Add in that Diggs finished Week 6 with 167 yards and three touchdowns. While the receiver wanted out, there are factors a play barring his departure.
If the Vikings decided to move Diggs anyway, the Patriots would be a good candidate for him to land. New England doesn’t mind shelling out big money at premium positions for the right player. Diggs is a smart, versatile and physically gifted receiver who runs routes with precision. He’s just what the Patriots want in a receiver. They’d likely put together a competitive trade package.
3. A.J. Green, WR, Bengals
Because the Bengals haven’t traded Green at this point, it’s hard to see them doing it now. They’ve had so many good opportunities to do so. But perhaps they’re waiting for him to get healthy, which would improve his trade stock. And they haven’t been quite this bad in recent years. So perhaps they know it’s time for a full rebuild.
The tricky dynamic with Green is that his contract expires at the end of the year. So Cincinnati likely would net a third-round compensatory pick for Green if he leaves in free agency. A team interested in acquiring Green would need to be interested in giving the 31-year-old, injury-prone receiver an extension. He doesn’t really seem like the Patriots’ guy.
But if they could give up a second round pick and sign Green to a discounted extension, perhaps Belichick would mull the deal.
4. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos
The Patriots have long coveted Sanders. Belichick made a bid at the receiver when he was with the Steelers as a restricted free agency. Ultimately, Pittsburgh retained Sanders by matching the Patriots’ offer. And the receiver later landed with Denver. If the Broncos are looking to deal Sanders, who is on the final year of his deal, the Patriots might be interest in giving them a late-round pick.
He’s certainly got the skill set they like. He is dynamic and versatile enough to run every route out of every receiver position in the Patriots offense.
5. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Falcons
While the rest of the players are flashy and exciting options, Sanu strikes me as one of the most likely options. He’s got two years left on his deal, but he’s playing in an offense that’s not using him. The Falcons are instead featuring Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones in a big way.
Sanu is a big slot, who could be a nice complementary piece for Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon. Sanu wouldn’t suddenly be the top option in the offense, and that’s somewhat problematic since the Patriots would be on the hook to pay him $12.5 million over the next two years (which is just barely less than Edelman’s earnings in the same span).
Howard and Sanu make sense for a lot of the same reasons.
6. Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals
Eifert is one of the true buy-low options who might be on the trading block. The question is whether he’ll ever improve his stock. Eifert was one of the best tight ends in the NFL in 2015. But that feels like a long time ago. That season, he had 52 catches for 615 yard and 13 touchdowns, but he hasn’t played for more than eight games in a season since then.
He’s 29 years old, so perhaps the Patriots might be interested in seeing if they could get him healthy and involved in the offense to bring new life to his career.
7. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Jets
Trade-backs?
The Patriots dealt Thomas to the New York Jets when they signed Antonio Browns. And it’s easy to imagine they wish they hadn’t. Thomas seemed like he was catching on in New England, and looked like he had potential to contribute. Perhaps if the Jets think they’ve got enough pass-catchers, New York might be willing to part ways with Thomas.
It’s a wild thought. It’s not super likely to happen. But it’s a fun scenario to consider.
